31/03/2009

Man Jailed For Toddler's Death

A 23-year-old man has today been jailed for the death of his girlfriend's toddler.

Robert Cunningham, from Dundee, was found guilty of the culpable homicide of 23-month-old Brandon Muir, who died on March 15, last year after suffering a ruptured intestine.

Cunningham was accused of murder, however a jury at the High Court in Glasgow returned a guilty verdict on the lesser charge of culpable homicide earlier this month.

Doctors at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee said a "blunt force" caused Brandon's injury, adding he would have been in severe pain before he died.

During evidence it was heard the post mortem examination found the toddler's body had at least 40 injuries, including cracked ribs and cuts.

Cunningham was convicted of seizing Brandon, aged 23 months, by making him stand against a wall or other surface, and applying pressure to his abdomen "by means unknown" the day before he died.

The 23-month-old's mother Heather Boyd, 23, had been charged with the culpable homicide of her son by failing to get him medical help after Cunningham attacked him.

Ms Boyd was cleared of the charge.

(JM/BMcC)

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